Important Milestone for Fraser River Dredging

Port Metro Vancouver, the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the Corporation of Delta, and the City of Richmond together celebrate the milestone of a $10-million collaboration to dredge the lower Fraser River in Ladner Harbor, Deas Slough, Sea Reach and Cannery Channel.

Dredging involves the careful removal and disposal of sediment from clogged navigation channels to ensure vessels can safely transit to their destination. Port Metro Vancouver regularly provides funding for dredging as part of its long-term strategy to ensure the Fraser River can continue to support international and domestic trade and meet Transport Canada’s safe navigation requirements.

Through its Local Channel Dredging Contribution Program, Port Metro Vancouver also provides financial support for eligible riverfront communities to undertake their own dredging activities beyond deep sea and domestic shipping channels.

While not all the planned dredging was completed due to an increase in dredging volumes and disposal costs, Port Metro Vancouver continues to work with funding partners to pursue further opportunities to complete dredging of some channels.

“I’m proud that Port Metro Vancouver is the first port authority in Canada to provide funding contributions for local communities with waterways falling outside of the main shipping channels,” said Robin Silvester, President and CEO of Port Metro Vancouver. “It has been a pleasure working with our partners on this collaborative initiative that, once again, brings government and community groups together to ensure safe access to local navigation channels.”

“Completing the Local Channel Dredging Program is an important milestone in ensuring the continued accessibility of secondary channels in Ladner and Steveston,” said The Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Minister of National Revenue and MP for Delta-Richmond East. “Ladner Harbor, Deas Slough, Sea Reach and Cannery Channel are essential to the economic activity of the lower Fraser River and this dredging work helps sustain jobs, growth, and prosperity in our communities.”

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